April 29, 2010

NASA TV Provides Coverage Of New Launch Abort System Test

by ssavage

NASA Television will provide live coverage of the May 6 launch of the Pad Abort 1 flight test. The broadcast will begin at 8:30 a.m. EDT from the launch site at the U.S. Army's White Sands Missile Range near Las Cruces, N.M.

The launch window extends from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. EDT, with liftoff targeted for the beginning of the window. Pad Abort 1 will be the first fully-integrated test of the launch abort system being developed for the Orion crew vehicle. The information gathered through the test will be used to design and develop future systems that provide a safe escape for crews in the event of an emergency.

Media representatives planning to attend the flight test must contact the White Sands Missile Range Public Affairs Office at 575-678-1134. The deadline for U.S. journalists to register is May 3. The launch viewing area is approximately four miles from the launch pad.

A news conference will be held approximately one hour after the test and carried live on NASA TV. The participants are: